Presidential Campaign

Sunday’s Dirty Secret

It is impossible for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and his wife to have attended the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s church and not embraced his teachings and vision of America.

My minister does and has always had a profound impact on my outlook on life and strengthening my spirit to forgive the transgressions of this world and not to induce more hate and separation. I find it difficult to believe Sen. Obama when he tells us that he was unaware of his pastor’s vicious message from the pulpit and that had he known, there would have been condemnation.

Many black intellectuals are still angry for what they perceive as the continuous crippling effect of racism and slavery in America on their careers. The irony is that many of their children have embraced this country, finding success and prosperity, while their parents continue to allow their wounds to be nurtured in this hopeless mindset preached from the pulpit. Michelle Obama’s expression of how, for the first time, she was proud of America was indicative of the influence of her pastor.

Sen. Obama should admit to the fact that since campaigning he’s seen a different America. He must show that he rejects and repudiates this school of thinking — and furthermore, that no one should be a member of congregations or mosques that preach this hatred and conspiratorial thinking, which continuously emphasizes the worst in our country and not the phenomenal progress made.

This past week was not an exemplary moment for the man who prided himself on integrity and honesty throughout this campaign. The fact is the senator has no plausible excuse for why he remained a member of the Rev. Wright’s church. He and his family should have immediately left his congregation for the embrace of a church that teaches the Bible rather than the alienation, lunacy and outright mockery of Christian teachings.

Visit www.armstrongwilliams.com .